I Hate Ethanol!

[Swift III]

Went out to fire up the 2n yesterday & she won't start. Everything is right on this tractor, good working 12volt, full rebuild last year that worked awesome all last year.

My wife and I had a set of twins last October( We also have a grand baby on the way and one in college lol) they were early by three weeks and I had just filled the tank on the 2n, it sat all winter, with two new babies I had no time for anything else.

Did all the usual checks, spark that jumps 1/4 at all plugs cleaned cap and rotor, pulled plug out of carb good flow. She turns over great.

It looks like this gas went bad, I dipped some out on a srew driver stepped away from the tractor (outside the shop at the time) and put fire too it. This stuff didn't poof and flame up like I expected it took a second to light and then made a pitiful sick looking fire. Has anyone else had a similar thing happen?

Do ya'll think I should take the carb off and clean it out or replace the gas and give her a try? (carb was rebuilt last year not that it matters with bad gas, I was really proud of the job too even painted her with some cast paint) Thanks as always for your replies.

 

[gahorN]

So-called modern "gasoline" is trash. And it will trash anything it's left in for more than a month. I store all my equipment long-term either dry...or with aviation gasoline (genuine gasoline.)

 

[Jim in Western MI]

Don't go to too much trouble. Siphon out fuel or just unhook fuel line from drain bowl or carb, whichever is most convenient..., empty tank. Reconnect line, fill with fresh fuel. Open carb drain for a few seconds, maybe a pint, this will purge the carb, close drain. Check everything, crank engine and go to work!

 

[JMOR]

(quoted from post at 11:55:02 05/17/10) Went out to fire up the 2n yesterday & she won't start. Everything is right on this tractor, good working 12volt, full rebuild last year that worked awesome all last year.

My wife and I had a set of twins last October( We also have a grand baby on the way and one in college lol) they were early by three weeks and I had just filled the tank on the 2n, it sat all winter, with two new babies I had no time for anything else.

Did all the usual checks, spark that jumps 1/4 at all plugs cleaned cap and rotor, pulled plug out of carb good flow. She turns over great.

It looks like this gas went bad, I dipped some out on a srew driver stepped away from the tractor (outside the shop at the time) and put fire too it. This stuff didn't poof and flame up like I expected it took a second to light and then made a pitiful sick looking fire. Has anyone else had a similar thing happen?

Do ya'll think I should take the carb off and clean it out or replace the gas and give her a try? (carb was rebuilt last year not that it matters with bad gas, I was really proud of the job too even painted her with some cast paint) Thanks as always for your replies.

have even found that if I start them on ether or propane, they will even go ahead and run on the old crappy gas/ethanol.

 

[Anonymous-0]

I now keep Stabil in my gas if it is going to sit long at all. Last fall I had some brush to burn, dumped some gas that could not have more than a couple of months old - had a heck of a time getting it to light and then it wold burn off and not get the brush burning! All the while paying ridiculus price per gal. Very Frustrating.

 

[FLAcharlie]

I'll put my vote in for Stabil also!

I used to stock a bunch of 5 gallon jugs for hurricane season, for the generator.
Now I only fill two jugs at a time, and I put the Stabil in before filling them.

I can't say I had the gas problem with the 8N, but I sure did with the lawn mowers for right around the house (you know, the ones with the crappy plastic carbs), and since using Stabil I haven't had the problem.

But even with Stabil, I think if the gas is 6 months or older, you're asking for trouble.

 

[Gaspump]

The big problem with ethanol gas is its tendency to attract water, its evaporation rate and then it then reacts and causes corrosion. Here in FL the best alternate for gas that is to be stored is Marine Gas. I believe its designator is M-1. I buy mine a a local marina but I have to carry my small 2 gal can in so I just use it in lawn tools & chain saws and not my N's. I just paid $3.33 a gallon for it so it is really not that pricey. In many areas of FL gas stations have it, like in the Keys where it is often found in gas stations. Also sold here in town at a Propane Tank Filling Station, they call it Non-Ethanol Gasoline. I like you have also used Sta-Bil for many years but it is by no way a cure all for ethanol.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Here in Wisconsin, premium unleaded has no ethanol in it. Would think that"s the case everywhere.

 

[TJfromGA]

Your right, today's gasoline in crap. I pulled my 2n out this
spring and found no gas getting through the carb. I turned the
fuel on but it would not flow through. (I took the bolt out of the
bottom of the carb& nothing would drain out) It would crank
with a little ether in the carb but after the ether burned it would
die. I finally had to take the carb off, clean it, run fine wire
through small holes, put it back on and she fired right up. Had
the same with a roto tiller, but on that unit, I sprayed a good bit
of carb cleaner down the carb and let it sit for a couple hours,
poured it out, sprayed a little ether and she fired right up. I had
Stabil in both units but I think i will use the Marine grade Stabil
next time to see if it will do better. I will also make sure I run
the gas out of all carbs before I let engines sit a while. I never
had this kind of problem before. TJ

 

[TheOldHokie]

(quoted from post at 18:31:07 05/17/10) Your right, today's gasoline in crap. I pulled my 2n out this
spring and found no gas getting through the carb. I turned the
fuel on but it would not flow through. (I took the bolt out of the
bottom of the carb& nothing would drain out) It would crank
with a little ether in the carb but after the ether burned it would
die. I finally had to take the carb off, clean it, run fine wire
through small holes, put it back on and she fired right up. Had
the same with a roto tiller, but on that unit, I sprayed a good bit
of carb cleaner down the carb and let it sit for a couple hours,
poured it out, sprayed a little ether and she fired right up. I had
Stabil in both units but I think i will use the Marine grade Stabil
next time to see if it will do better. I will also make sure I run
the gas out of all carbs before I let engines sit a while. I never
had this kind of problem before. TJ

Yet I have a fuel injected Ford Probe that's been sitting for 2+ years with 1/3 tank of gasohol in it and it starts and runs just fine. I move it around 2 or 3 times a year. If it's just the gas how do you figure the Probe is immune????

TOH

 

[FLAcharlie]

Good tip, thanks Gaspump,

As I'm smack dab in the middle of the state, away from the ocean, I'll ask the local bass fishermen.

 

[souNdguy]

Imagine my surprise when i pulled my naa out o fthe barn where it sat dormant for 7ys needing a steering box rebuild.. I had left gas in it.. I draine dthe carb.. some of the most foul stuf I ever smelled came out.. with good flow from the tank of the same. I was quite surprised it started and ran on one crank..

on the other hand.. my 660's poor old carb with this new alogas completely rotted away and had to be replaced.

soundguy

 

[Bob Harvey]

Electronic ignition/computer -sealed gas tank ?

 

[Bob Harvey]

You can thank the 'corn growers' lobbyists for the low grade ethanol, which, as it turns out is the LEAST cost effective method of producing ethanol. Corn and it's components is used in just about everything, from toothpaste to medicine. The Brazilians have been making ethanol from sugar cane for almost 40 yrs., and it is very cost effective, and 'cleaner' ie;residue/deposits/deterioration. JMHO

 

[WayneIA]

I have run my 641 on E-85 for two years. 12 volts with points. Still waiting for something BAD to happen.

 

[KenInGA]

Get yourself a bottle of the product called "Sta-bil" (red stuff in a red/ clear bottle) and add that to your gas cans next time you fill up.

 

[chevyNford]

I use Sea Foam gas treatment in every engine I have. It is works great to clean dirty carbs and as a stabilizer. I usually have no less than 2-3 cans of it in my shop.

 

[lha]

I use marine formula sta-bil,which is for gasahol.I have a Nissan 4x4 truck,and have to add a pint of seafoam per fill-up adding +- $10.00 [$.70 per gal],expensive gas!!

 

[Anonymous-0]

Seafoam formula isoproply alcohol naptha pale oil also known as mineral oil.A chart on gas additives show most are loaded with alcohol.